THE LOCAL CHURCH AND ITS RESPONSIBILITY IN BENEVOLENCE
TEXT: "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cunw,
into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an
hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and yq gave me no drink: I
was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed'me not: sick and
in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick,
or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them,
saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of
these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting
punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Mat. 25:41-46).
THESIS: To show, from God's word, the responsibility of the local church to: extend
benevolence to those in need.
INTRODUCTION:
I. God has, in every age, enjoined upon His children the responsibility of caring for
those in need.
II. In this, the Christian A e, God has enjoined the church to be responsible in
benevolence to the needy and helpless (widows, fatherless, strangers, poor,
oppressed, sick, hungry, thirsty, naked, etc.).
III. In this study, we shall consider the respoipibility of the church:
A. As shown by a study of Galatians 6:10.
B. As shown by a study of James 1:27.7
C. And, as shown by pertinent questiops and answers.
DISCUSSION:
I. The responsibility of the local church In benevolence as shown by Galatians 6.-16.
A. Galatians 6:10 does not refer to action of only the individual Christian.
1. Some fabely teach the action prescribed in this verse is only an individual
action, and that the church cannot, and MUST NOT, involve itself in
doing good unto all men, tor it would alin in doing so, or In attempting
to do so.
2. If this is only an individual action, notice what the church cannot do.
a. The church could not help those of the household of faith, for those
who are to do good unto all men are the very same ones who
are to do good tothe household of faith (Gal. 6:10; 1:2).
b. The church could not restore a brother overtaken in a fault (GaL
6: 1), though Matthew 13: 17 records these words of Jesus:
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church
but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an
heathen man and a publican."
c. The church could not bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2).
d. The church could not fulfil the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
e. The church could not pay the preacher (Gal. 6:6).
3. Therefore, only individuals would be responsible, and only individuals
could help those of the household of faith, restore a brother overtaken
in a fault, bear one anothet's burdens, fulfil the law of Christ, and pay
the preacher.
a. Who, proclaiming such a false doctrine, practices that which is
logically a consequence of it?
b. Who would say, for example, that only individuals could provide
the support of the preacher?
c. Who would say the church would sin if it attempted to pay the
preacher?
B. Galatians 6: 1 0 does not limit benevolence to "saints only."
1. The Greek word "pantas," translated "all men" means just that,
"everyone, anyone, all men.,
a. Obviously the "all men" of this verse refers to someone(s) other
than just those included in the "household of faith," and is not
a reference to the household of faith; that is, to "saints only."
b. If this were the case, the verse would be redundant: "As we have
therefore opportunity, let us do good unto (the household of
faith),, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
c. A study of other pasages employing this same word will reveal the
meaning to be inclusive of "everyone, anyone, all men," and
not restricted to "saints only" (John 12:32; 2 Cor. 9:13; 1 The.
3:12; 5:15).
C. As shown by Galatians 6:10, the church has responsibility to extend
benevolence to all men (those other than saints), and especially to the
household of faith (saints).
II. The responsibility of the local church in benevolence as shown by James 1:27.
A. Some erroneously teach only individuals may fulfil that which is commanded
in this verse.
1. This command does include individuals, but is not limited only to
individuals.
2. As Galatians 6: 1 0 was addressed to the church (Gal. 1:2), so James"
inspired epistle was to the church (Jam. 1: 1; 2:1-2; cf. Gal. 6:16).
3. Individuals and the church must practice that which is enjoined in this
verse.
B. H James 1:27 is only for individual then, notice what the church could not do.
1. The church could not practice pure and underded religion, and would sin
if it attempted to do so.
2. The church could not keep itself unspotted from the world, and would sin
if it attempted to do so.
3. The church could not help the fatherless and widows--even if they were
members of the church in their affliction.
C. The word "himself" in James 1:27,
1. The same word occurs in I Corinthians 11:28 (in connection with the
taking of the Lord's Supper), and refers to an individual action which
is performed in association with others, in the assembly, as the body,
the church.
2. This word is also found in 1 Corinthians 16:2, and refen to an individual
action (laying by in store on the first day of the week) which is
performed in association with others, in the assembly, as the body, the
church.
3. Thus, the word "himself" does not deny the collective action of the church,
nor does it limit the action of this verse only to individuals.
III. Some pertinent questions and answers.
A. Can the church help "all men" who are in need, or must the benevolence of the
church be limited to saints?
1. Could the church help a church member who is widowed, and has a sman
child?
a. Must the church refuse to help the smaff child if the mother dies?
b. Would the church be justified in letting the chdd die of starvation,
exposure, or neglect-because he is not a "saint".
c. b the small child lost in sin (Mat. 18: 1-3; 19:13-14)?
2. If one, not a church member, were walking by the church building on a
hot summer day, and became overcome with beat, could the church
help him?
a. Would the church sin if it allowed him to come in, sit down, and
cool off (on the pow, and in the air conditioning provided by
the treasury)?
b. Could the church &How him to drink from the water fountain
(provided from the treasury)?
c. Could the church use the phone (provided from the treasury) to call
for an ambulance should he need medical care?
B. If the church cannot give to those n'pt saints, can it receive from those not
Saints?
1. Would those collecting the contribution be required to forbid a non-saint
to contribute?
2. Would the church sin if it received a contribution from one not a saint?
C. Must the church post signs prohibiting visiting non-members from drinking at
the water fountain, and from using the restrooms?
1. What a ridiculous, and wrong doctrine is the doctrine which prohibits the
church from doing good to all men!
2. Hopefully, you can see the error of such false teaching which would
eliminate the responsibility of the church in benevolence.
CONCLUSION:
1 The church has a great responsibility and at great opportunity in the area of
benevolence.
A. Many doors have been opened when people have seen Christianity in action in
benevolence. (One said, "People do not care how much you know until they
know how much you care.")
B. Whether those aided are obedient to the gospel, or not, we still have the
responsibility of caring for those in need.
C. While we must use wisdom, and not support those who will not work, but are
simply con men and bums, yet we must not be stingy, nor must we close our
eyes, shut up our ears, and harden our hearts toward the cries of the pitiable
poor and needy (remember Mat. 25:41-46).
II. The 'local church has a responsibility in benevolence, and should look upon this
responsibility as a privilege and a blessing, for in benevolence we can be a blessing,
and show Christ, who is omnibenevolent, living in us.
III. We should be thanlkful we have opportunity to give to those in need (Eph. 4:28),
and that we are not in need ourselves.
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